“With Rooney, I can play him in a lot of positions, and Wilson is a young talent and he has to show himself in training sessions.

“I have already explained what I like in a striker. It is not only making goals but also being an attacking point to see the third man, so that we can create space and play with each other. And Van Persie is one of the best strikers at doing that.”

After three goals in his last three games, Van Persie will lead the line today against struggling Liverpool, forcing fit-again Falcao to wait his turn from the bench, with the prospect of playing a part over the busy festive period.

Van Gaal has studied Liverpool’s last few games but hasn’t watched a re-run of their 3-0 win against United at Old Trafford last March.

And he has warned his men that they must watch out for Mario Balotelli’s unpredictability if the wayward Italian is declared fit to play after a pelvic problem:

“I didn’t watch the game when Liverpool were last here because it is not so interesting as other players are playing now. I’m always analysing the last games, because that’s more or less the team that shall play.

“I think Balotelli is unpredictable, so it’s difficult to manage him. But it’s also difficult for his team-mates!”